[7] On October 1, 2018, Kandola assumed the position of Chief Medical Officer of the Northwest Territories, succeeding Andre Corriveau.
Once the public health emergency was declared on March 18, 2020, she noted that more than 1,000 students would be returning to Yellowknife from spring break, which would risk bringing new infections into the region.
[5] As a result, from March 21 through April 27, 2020, she oversaw the order for all returning residents of the region to self-isolate for 14 days, granting exemptions for essential workers.
[8][9] On April 27 through May 12, she and her team tightened the rule to require that essential workers crossing the border must also self-isolate unless they have written permission exempting them.
[11] Under the first phase, select businesses and institutions, including schools, hair salons, and museums, would be allowed to reopen with appropriate physical distancing measures in place.
First Nations Chief Louis Balsillie and Fort Resolution Mayor Patrick Simon, however, have been critical of this policy, noting the importance of knowing whether or not their community has been any active infections.